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Re: Wierd Queen Rearing Technique

It's my understanding that the larva has breathing holes.. that open on the side that is face up.. So if you put them in wrong, they drown/smother... I vaguely remember that from some random video that showed a larva under a microscope after grafting..

Not sure if it's true... my eyes aren't that good... But I try not to flip the larva and make sure I lay it back down the way it was picked up... I usually get 80%+ acceptance rate on grafts with quite a few 100%...

But, I've only made a few hundred queens... So maybe it's still beginners luck...

Re: Wierd Queen Rearing Technique

He's dumping them in some sort of liquid. Wouldn't you expect that to kill them too? What is that stuff? Why didn't he fill his syringe from the bottle? Can you translate that video?

Looks like honey water... I'm assuming he put it in the tray to have enough water to float the larva on... Filling from the tray was probably just as simple since it was setup... I can't translate it. It was in Czech or Russian.

Re: Wierd Queen Rearing Technique

A few years ago, I saw a video, exactly like this, and it included views of the cells being grafted and then how they progressed. I believe the fluid being used is warmed and diluted honey. The ones I saw were either translated or subtitled in English. My understanding is that the larvae self-orient, so they aren't likely to drown in this process. As long as they are moved into their cell cups promptly, so they don't chill, they should do fine. It does seem like a bit of extra work, just to graft. Though I hope to try it out, to see how it works.

Re: Wierd Queen Rearing Technique

Here is the Czech translation from the posters comments.
solution boiled water and honey-ratio 40%-med,,,,,, 60% water, the temperature about 30 Wed
@ ZamilovanyMaya carry-grafting as it is in the cell is just superstition, larva with my own twists to the correct position. Received: May - June 60-80% - from 80 to 100% in July-70-90%